In an economy dominated by tourism opportunities, social studies has become not just a subject on every student’s curriculum; it’s almost like job training. And that’s why the tourism board has been organizing the National Social Studies Quiz for the past three years: it’s a way to get students interested in a field that the service industry needs. So you can call it self-serving – but it’s also a great competitive adventure for the primary schoolers who get to take part. And as we found out at today’s fourth annual quiz, it’s also quite fierce.
Alexis Sanchez, Winner, 2008 BTB Social Studies Quiz
“My heart was pounding and racing, I wasn’t really sure of myself. I had a little bit of stage fright.”
Twelve-year-old Alexis Sanchez may have been overwhelmed but she was prepared and some three and a half hours after BTB’s 2008 Social Studies Quiz Competition this is how it ended.
Announcer: ‘And the winner for the 4th annual Primary School Social Studies Quiz Competition, ladies and gentlemen is from Evergreen Government School, Alexis Sanchez.’
Jacqueline Godwin,
_How much preparation went into this competition?
Alexis Sanchez,
“A lot, I spent almost all of my days studying all of my questions and the extra questions my parents prepared for me.”
Monique Sanchez,
“She studied really hard. She used her Easter vacation. Last night she was up late and this morning we were testing her on the bus giving her last minute information. She worked really hard. She deserves this.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
And I know some parents get really involved when the competition is on, hyst how nervous was you?
Monique Sanchez,
“I couldn’t sleep last night. I was up at 5 this morning thinking of other information I could give her. Yes I was really excited for her. My other kids came out of school today, we came down from Belmopan to give her all our support.”
Alexis won out of a total of twelve students who all did well in the fourth annual competition. But it would be another student and school in the west to take second place. He is twelve year old Omar Hernandez from Mount Carmel Primary School in Benque Viejo.
Omar Hernandez, 2nd Place Winner
“How I loved this subject I didn’t really study that hard because
some questions I already had knowledge of but I did my best and I tried to excel in what I did.”
Rosita Silva, Vice-Principal – Mount Carmel Upper School
“Well I am very proud, he worked very hard and he deserved it. He has brought the name of our school real up high. The west is the best, we know that as usual so we very happy for our school and our area.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
How important do you see this competition for young children like yourself?
Omar Hernandez,
“Well it is an important competition because it gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity that you can demonstrate your school name on the top of Belize’s national competitions and my school is a very good school, one of the top four schools in the country of Belize. I did my best.”
Eleven year old Khaila Gentle who was not nervous says she only wanted to do her best and she did but it was not on her own.
Khaila Gentle, 3rd Place Winner
“A lot of work. My friends and teachers and family helped me to study at school and home and I think that I was prepared.”
The annual competition is held each year as part of Belize Tourism Awareness Week and public awareness campaign but it was delayed by almost two months due to the general elections which probably gave the students more time to study. According to BTB public awareness officer Keesha Young, it is the first time that most of the students knew the answers for most rounds that even went into a reserve.
Keesha Young, Public Awareness Officer - BTB
“This year I was surprised that so many of them had the answers. Usually when we get to the reserve round that is when they start dropping like flies. This year it was totally different. It was a tight race. We were fortunate enough to not have it go into too many extra reserves because we had three contestants who topped the list and so the competition was able to finish a little earlier than usual. But normally the students don’t have those answers."
Now that the competition has ended the primary school students should know more about tourism, the country, have a better appreciation of Belize and yes proud to be a Belizean. Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.
First place finisher Alexis Sanchez won a fully loaded computer, gift certificate, a trophy and her school got a plaque. 2nd place winner Omar Hernandez walked off with a hundred and fifty dollars cash, stationery supplies, book bag and other gifts. And for third place Khaila Gentle took home a cell phone from Cellular Plus, mp3 player from Mala’s, a hundred dollar gift certificate, and a plaque.
